The world of supplements can be overwhelming, with over 100,000 products available on the US market. While many people turn to these supplements to improve or maintain their health, it's crucial to use them correctly to avoid potential harm.
According to Dr Pieter Cohen, an internist and associate professor at Harvard Medical School, excessive amounts of nutrients can cause serious health problems. The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) is the amount a person should aim for daily, set by the US food and nutrition board. However, taking more than the tolerable upper intake level (UL) can lead to adverse effects.
There's limited government oversight over vitamins and supplements in the US, and many products are not properly labelled. In fact, Dr Cohen states that some products may contain incorrect or misleading information on their labels. To ensure you're using a high-quality product, look for certification from reputable organizations like the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) or United States Pharmacopeia (USP).
Before taking any new supplement, it's essential to speak with your doctor, especially if you have pre-existing medical conditions or take medications. Supplements can interact with other substances and cause inaccurate blood test results.
For specific nutrients, be aware of the risks associated with excessive intake. For example, high levels of vitamin D can lead to nausea, vomiting, and kidney failure. Excessive calcium supplementation can also cause kidney stones and negative interactions with other supplements.
When it comes to omega-3 fatty acids, there's no established recommended amount, but limiting your daily intake to 5g is generally safe. However, low-quality products can contain unnecessary ingredients that may lead to side effects like heartburn or nausea.
Other nutrients, such as vitamin C and B12, have potential risks associated with excessive use. High doses of vitamin C can cause stomach problems, while excessive B12 can lead to symptoms like anxiety and headaches.
Magnesium supplements come in different forms, but taking too much can cause nausea, abdominal cramping, and diarrhea. Individuals with kidney disease should avoid taking magnesium unless it's been discussed with their healthcare team.
When considering probiotics, there's no official recommendation for healthy individuals, and excessive use may not be toxic but could have other downstream effects. Collagen peptides may help with joint and skin health, but more research is needed to support these claims.
Ultimately, using supplements correctly requires a balanced approach. Be sure to consult with your doctor before starting any new supplement, and always check the label for accuracy. Stick to recommended dosages, and avoid overusing or mixing products without proper guidance from a healthcare professional.
According to Dr Pieter Cohen, an internist and associate professor at Harvard Medical School, excessive amounts of nutrients can cause serious health problems. The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) is the amount a person should aim for daily, set by the US food and nutrition board. However, taking more than the tolerable upper intake level (UL) can lead to adverse effects.
There's limited government oversight over vitamins and supplements in the US, and many products are not properly labelled. In fact, Dr Cohen states that some products may contain incorrect or misleading information on their labels. To ensure you're using a high-quality product, look for certification from reputable organizations like the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) or United States Pharmacopeia (USP).
Before taking any new supplement, it's essential to speak with your doctor, especially if you have pre-existing medical conditions or take medications. Supplements can interact with other substances and cause inaccurate blood test results.
For specific nutrients, be aware of the risks associated with excessive intake. For example, high levels of vitamin D can lead to nausea, vomiting, and kidney failure. Excessive calcium supplementation can also cause kidney stones and negative interactions with other supplements.
When it comes to omega-3 fatty acids, there's no established recommended amount, but limiting your daily intake to 5g is generally safe. However, low-quality products can contain unnecessary ingredients that may lead to side effects like heartburn or nausea.
Other nutrients, such as vitamin C and B12, have potential risks associated with excessive use. High doses of vitamin C can cause stomach problems, while excessive B12 can lead to symptoms like anxiety and headaches.
Magnesium supplements come in different forms, but taking too much can cause nausea, abdominal cramping, and diarrhea. Individuals with kidney disease should avoid taking magnesium unless it's been discussed with their healthcare team.
When considering probiotics, there's no official recommendation for healthy individuals, and excessive use may not be toxic but could have other downstream effects. Collagen peptides may help with joint and skin health, but more research is needed to support these claims.
Ultimately, using supplements correctly requires a balanced approach. Be sure to consult with your doctor before starting any new supplement, and always check the label for accuracy. Stick to recommended dosages, and avoid overusing or mixing products without proper guidance from a healthcare professional.
like dont just take everythin u see online or in stores. my prof dr pieter cohen says 2 b cautious w/ excessive amounts of nutrients can b bad news 
esp if u have pre-existing conditions or r on meds. i think its always best 2 consult w/ ur doc first & stick w/ the recommended dosages 
. And what really gets me is that a lot of them aren't even properly labelled... like, how can you trust something you don't know the ingredients for? 
. Like, Dr Pieter Cohen says we should stick to what's recommended by the US food and nutrition board... sounds like common sense to me, right? 
But I also feel for people who have pre-existing conditions or take meds - those guys need guidance from their docs first 
.
. And probiotics, collagen peptides... these are all legit options, but we need more research to back them up 
.
. Consult your doc, check the label, don't overdo it 
. We can trust our bodies to heal themselves... right? 
. Like, I'm no doctor but it seems like some of these things just need a more solid set of guidelines or regulations in place, you know? It's easy to just take something because everyone else is doing it, but sometimes that's the worst idea ever 
who needs certification from the NSF or USP to make sure it's safe? And don't even get me started on the doctor's advice... like, aren't we living in 2025? Can't someone just Google "how much vitamin D is too much?" 
Anyway, I think the key is to be super cautious and actually do your research before picking up that bottle.
think about it, most people dont even know what they're putting in their bodies, it's like a gamble! RDA is the bare minimum, taking more can be toxic, no wonder doctor Pieter Cohen is so concerned 
. Always talk to your doc before popping anything new, it's not worth risking ur health 
dont even get me started on the labelling issues i mean seriously how hard is it to get it right? 
. And what's with all these "reputable organizations" certifying products? Can't we just use our common sense and figure out which ones are legit on our own? 
my friend took like 10kiuu of it one day and she was hooked up on dialysis for a week 
gotta stay safe, u feel? 